Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Austin Jackson

Farnham in Spotlight Catching Andy Pettitte

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Given the amount of catching prospects in the Yankees system – even with the trade of Jesus Montero to Seattle – Jeff Farnham has gone about his career as a farmhand mostly out of the spotlight. The 24-year-old , a native of Las Vegas drafted in the 27th round in 2009, is not mentioned with […]

Where Would the Yanks Be Without Granderson?

Monday, May 30th, 2011

I was skeptical about the Yankees acquisition of Curtis Granderson in the winter of 2009. Although he was a good defensive centerfielder with pop, his inability to hit left handed pitching, high strikeout rate, and average OBP made wonder if he was a good fit.  I hated it even more when I factored the young […]

Granderson an Albatross in Many Ways

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

When I first heard the Curtis Granderson trade this winter I turned up my nose. I thought Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, and Ian Kennedy could provide nice depth for the Yankees in 2010. After listening to individuals from both the New York and Detroit side I warmed up to Granderson in centerfield. All along I […]

Scout Skeptical About the Yanks

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

On Friday, Ken Davidoff of Newsday shared one scouts opinion on the Yankees which I figured I would share since it’s behind the pay wall for many: “The Yankees are in trouble. Posada can’t catch anymore, and what do they do if Cervelli gets hurt? Montero isn’t ready.Romine doesn’t hit. Teixeira is pull happy and […]

Cano/A-Jax Lead in Runs Saved

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

John Dewan’s “Stat of the Week” examined the early return on the top fielders who saved runs this year. If you are interested in understand a bit about Dewan’s plus/minus system you can read more about it here under plus/minus tab. The Player Team Pos. Innings Runs Saved Ben Zobrist Rays 2B/RF 547 15 Yunel […]

Mets Draft Is Missed Opportunity

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Robbie Aviles, a pitcher at Suffern (NY) High School with first-round pitching talent, had some of the worst luck a baseball player can have. Just days before the 2010 MLB draft, Aviles, widely expected to be a top pick, tore a ligament in his elbow. The injury sent him spiraling down draft boards, though the […]

Laird Becoming a Huge Asset for the Yanks

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Trenton Thunder third baseman Brandon Laird was named Eastern League Player of the Week yesterday. So far this year Laird is second in professional baseball in RBI with 50, trailing only journeyman Mike Hessman of the Buffalo Bisons. You know a player has arrived when the mainstream media starts to talk about their performance. For […]

Jackson, Coke, Damon Would Look Good

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

It’s a bit of an armchair quarterback situation, but with the Yankees bullpen and offense struggling how would Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, and Johnny Damon look in Yankees uniforms right now? With Granderson still out due to injury its premature to judge the deal (as it has been) constantly. The fact remains that all of […]

Catching Up With Some Traded Yankees Prospects

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Just a quick look at some of the prospects the Yankees have traded away. Austin Jackson After a torrid start, Jackson, the past two weeks has cooled off considerably. Still Jackson is batting .331, including 3 triples and has 6 stolen bases. he has taken well to playing in center field and should improve with […]

Early Returns

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Sure, it’s not even a month into the season and it’s far too early to judge any off-season moves. But why not do it anyway? Let’s take a look at how the Yankees off-season moves have panned out so far. Curtis Granderson for Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy and Phil Coke Austin Jackson, the chip the […]

Yanks Better Be Right on Granderson

Monday, March 29th, 2010

I wouldn’t go as far to say, as Steve Lombardi of Was Watching speculates, the Curtis Granderson deal could be a modern day version of Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps, but the Yankees better be right. For all the star power on the roster, the team traded away a great deal of depth that could […]

Positional Battle: Yankees Bench

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

The most competitive positional battle this spring may be the spots for the Yankees bench. Last year Joe Girardi only took four reserves north from Tampa. How will things play out this year? Locks: Francisco Cervelli Candidates: Marcus Thames, Randy Winn, Kevin Russo, Ramiro Pena, Jamie Hoffmann Long shots: Greg Golson, Jon Weber, Mike Rivera […]

Damon Situation Never Had to Happen

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Given the way the economy has gone the past several months, you may have seen one of your favorite restaurants go out of business. Others adjusted, offered lunch and dinner specials, and survived. Scott Boras, of course, wouldn’t even consider adjusting in Johnny Damon’s case and cost the outfielder – short on defense, but still […]

Comparing the Top 10 Yanks Prospect Lists

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

John Sickels, who appeared on WGBB with me last January, announced his Yankees prospect list. Since Jed Weisberger of MILB, and contributor to NYBD, launched the first NYBD Yankees “Top 50 Prospects”, the major publications have done their annual version. I thought it would be interesting to compare the Top 10 from each of the […]

Trades Don’t Mean Yanks are Downplaying Development

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Yankees fans seemed pleased with the acquisition of pitcher Javier Vazquez, a perfect No. 4 starter for the club. Mets fans, who sit waiting for a move that is at least similar, wish their team had the resources to accomplish that. Those “resources’’ are prospects and major-leaguers, not stars, such as Melky Cabrera.  The Yankees […]